7 Mil vs 10 Mil: Choosing the Perfect Mylar for Your Next DIY Stencil Project
If you’re browsing our decorative stencils, you’ve probably noticed some designs have purchase options labeled 7 mil or 10 mil Mylar—but what does that actually mean? 🤔
When it comes to DIY stenciling, the thickness of your stencil material can make a big difference in how easy it is to work with, how crisp your designs look, and how long your stencil lasts.
In this quick guide, we’ll break down the difference between 7 mil and 10 mil Mylar so you can choose the perfect stencil for your next wall, furniture, or craft project.
What doe “mil” even mean?
- A “mil” is 1/1000 of an inch (i.e., 0.001 in).
- 7 mil ≈ 0.007 inches thick (≈ 0.18 mm)
- 10 mil ≈ 0.010 inches thick (≈ 0.26 mm)
Key differences (for stencil use)
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Flexibility: The 7 mil version is thinner, so it will be more flexible and easier to conform to slightly curved or uneven surfaces. The 10 mil is a bit stiffer (think soda bottle). For example, thinner mylar is better for fine detail and curved/vertical surfaces.
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Durability / reusability: Because 10 mil is thicker, it tends to be more durable, withstand more uses/cleanings, and resist distortion or curling as much as the thinner version. For instance:, 10 mil is our most commonly used for indoor, moderate repeated-use and cleaning. Meanwhile the 7.5 mil (close to 7 mil) is slightly less durable.
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Crispness of edges / paint bleed: Thinner material (like 7 mil) often allows for sharper edges and less “paint lip” (a raised ridge of paint) because the stencil sits closer to the surface. But if the material is too thin, it may shift, wrinkle, or lift under paint/spray more easily. 10 mil is still thin enough that you won’t have a paint lip, while still being durable.
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Suitability for application type:
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If you’re doing fine decorative work, on walls/furniture, with brushes/rollers, maybe vertical surfaces — the thinner (7 mil) may be advantageous for ease and detail.
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If you’re doing heavier duty, more repeated use, perhaps larger stencils, maybe more flat surfaces — the 10 mil might be a better balance between durability and performance.
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Surface adaptation & environment: Thicker material like 10 mil might not flex as easily around curves or uneven surfaces; also in windy/“airy” situations, thinner lighter stencils may lift or shift more. Some sources note thicker films are less flexible.
Our practical recommendation
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If you’re doing a one‐time decorative stencil on a wall or furniture piece, with good surface, minimal stress: the 7 mil will likely work well and make the job easier.
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If you plan to reuse the stencil many times, or do large scale work, or roll/brush paint heavily, or have slightly rougher surfaces: go with 10 mil for better durability.
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Keep in mind: the material thickness is just one factor — how you apply the stencil (spray vs brush/roller), how well the stencil is held down (masking, repositionable spray), and how flat/curved the surface is all matter for the quality of the result.
